AP PSYCH Perspectives

Biopsychological

focus on the body, especially the brain and nervous system—hormones, body reactions to phobias, phineas gage

behavioral

observable behavioral responses and their environmental determinants—observation and imitation, baby Albert, Skinner & rewards, reinforcements, and punshiments.

psychodynamic

emphasize unconscious thought, the conflict between biological drives and society’s demands, and early childhood experiences

humanistic

created in response to negative aspects of behavioral approach; emphasizes a person’s positive qualities, the capacity for positive growth, and freedom to choose any destiny

cognitive

emphasizes the mental processes involved in knowing; how we direct our attention, perceive, remember, think, and solve problems

evolutionary

centered on adaption, reproduction, and natural selection as the basis for explaining specific human behaviors

sociocultural

examine the ways in which social and cultural environments influence behavior; ethnicity, religion, gender, social groups, etc.

biopsychosocial

use of techniques from a variety of approaches (biological, psychological, and social)